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In the Manuel Antonio area of Costa Rica, businesses, vacation rental home owners and conservationists created an alliance to protect the habitat of the endangered squirrel monkeys and fund environmental education efforts in local schools. The anniversary of the project is being marked with celebrations that include discount rentals on bungalows and select villas.

This Central American squirrel monkey is also know as a titi monkey

The visitors contribute to sustaining the monkeys.

Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (PRWEB)September 22, 2011

In the past, the area surrounding Costa Rica´s Manuel Antonio National Park, suffered forest fragmentation due to massive agriculture and unplanned development. Recognizing the need for conservation of their natural environment to maintain prosperity for their businesses, a group of local entrepreneurs and business owners began in 2001 the Titi Conservation Alliance (TCA) with the mission to conserve the biodiversity of the area, a stronghold for the famous Central American squirrel monkey or titi monkey.

By educating adults and kids alike regarding the principles of sustainability, and by directly promoting appropriate development initiatives, TCA is leading a real change in the community. As a result, hotels, tour operators and vacation home rental owner have all become part of the solution. Today, local businesses represent 90% of the organization´s membership portfolio.

In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Alliance, Tulemar Vacation Home Rentals is offering a variety of discounts on select vacation rental homes in the exclusive Tulemar Gardens Resort.

"Luxury vacation rentals are extremely popular in the Manuel Antonio area," says Mauricio Jara, of Tulemar Vacation Home Rentals, a business partner in the TCA who's been working in the tourism sector for more than 12 years. "By working with the TCA, we're able to convert money into monkeys, so to speak. Most of our guests are here to enjoy our beaches, jungles, and wildlife. We help them experience all three in a comfortable setting with first-class guest services. The monkeys attract the visitors, and the visitors contribute to sustaining the monkeys."

"We've had a great year and hosted many wonderful visitors from all over the world,” says Dave Houck, Jara's business partner. “We're thrilled to be able to increase our contribution the Titi Conservation Alliance as a result of vacationers choosing to stay in our bungalows and villas. These discounts, as much as 40% off the regular price during October, will allow more visitors to share in our efforts toward sustainable practices. For every reservation we book during this time, we're donating $25 to the TCA, in addition to our annual contribution. Guests are also able to make their own contributions to this worthwhile project during their stay.”
Aiming to improve titi monkey conservation efforts in Costa Rica´s Central Pacific Coast, proceeds from this promotion will be invested in the development of the Naranjo River Biological Corridor and its environmental education program. As a result, students from local schools cultivate and care for tree nurseries and even help plant the saplings within the biological corridor, learning about habitat and wildlife conservation through direct participation.

The Titi Conservation Alliance was started in 2001 by a group of business owners within the tourist industry based around Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica. Recognizing the need for conservation of their natural environment to maintain prosperity for their businesses, this group of entrepreneurs began the Alliance with the mission to promote sustainable development and to conserve the biodiversity of Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Region.